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Atherton High School’s decision-making council on Tuesday evening upheld a decision to adopt an anti-discrimination policy with specific protections for transgender students.

The policy remained school policy after a special SBDM meeting was called to address complaints circulated after a vote to add the policy was made last month.

The need for a transgender specific policy came after complaints arose that a male-bodied transgender student was using the girls’ restrooms at the school. Jefferson County Public Schools does not have a districtwide policy addressing the question.

Atherton High Principal Thomas Aberli said the people in the school have overwhelmingly supported the decision. Aberli said transgender students must first seek approval from a school administrator before being allowed to use the restroom of the gender with which they identify.

“The council voted today in a way that mirrors the vision of the school community,” Aberli said following the meeting.

If a student is denied the right to use a restroom of their choosing, he said they will have the right to appeal.